Randa Lopez joined the LSU Libraries as the Agricultural Support Librarian in early May, after working for two years as a graduate assistant in Middleton Library’s Research and Instruction Services Department. Lopez grew up in Stonewall, Louisiana, and is the eldest of four. She describes herself as always having been the outgoing person she is today. She earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Northwestern State University and continued her education at the LSU School of Library and Information Science, where she earned a master’s degree in library and information science.

As the Agricultural Support Librarian, she is the LSU Libraries’ liaison to the College of Agriculture and the AgCenter, assisting students and faculty with research needs, from finding journal articles to advising students who are formulating research plans. Overall, she helps faculty and students make use of the LSU Libraries, and tries to make their lives a little easier. “Researching can be a very frustrating process but it doesn’t have to be,” said Lopez, “I want to make their researching lives easier. I am here to help them.”

Her plans for her position are simple. She is in the process of creating online subject guides for each of her departments, and she wants to find out what resources faculty members prefer. She plans to get to know each department and its faculty members, and she is also planning research workshops for classes.

Above all, she is excited to begin her career in Baton Rouge at LSU. “I love Baton Rouge and the LSU Campus. It is absolutely beautiful and I am excited to begin my career working for a wonderful library that has a very promising future.”